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I'm on a mac and don't get the "properties" choice when I right click the image, but I could copy the address and then paste it and of course!! It's that great looking 41 year old Megyn Kelly from fox news. I kinda thought thats who it was. She's a looker (wuff). (needs a little makeup on that red nose though).

Any doctrine that weakens personal responsibility for judgment and for action helps create the attitudes that welcome and support the totalitarian state.
(John Dewey)

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.
(George Washington)

I believe that Jesus told us to love our neighbor and be charitable. I don't believe that he told us the govt should do that in our stead.

Now, that was a statement by a Georgetown scholar about the teachings of the "Church"; presumably the RC church. If you (or he) would cite chapter and verse, it might make for interesting discussion.

I hope this helps.

Catholic Social Teaching

1. The Dignity of the Human PersonThe dignity of the human person flows from his/her creation in God's image. This divine image gives sanctity to every human life. Consequently, every human being possesses an inalienable dignity and fundamental value that transcends gender, race, class, ethnicity and nationality.We can only support human dignity and achieve healthy communities if we protect human rights. Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human dignity, such as adequate food, housing, work, education, transportation, healthcare, and freedom of communication and expression. It follows, then, that the goods of the earth are meant to enhance human life and dignity ("universal destination of goods"). They are not meant to be counters in a competition to see who can amass the most, nor are they meant to be symbols of superiority. Owners who heedlessly idolize their goods (cf. Matthew 6:24, 19:21-26; Luke 16:13) become owned and enslaved by them. Only by recognizing that these goods are dependent on God the Creator and then directing their use to the common good, is it possible to give material goods their proper function as useful tools for the growth of individuals and peoples.
2. Common GoodPersons are both sacred and social; human dignity is realized in community. Every aspect of life in community is measured by how the dignity of each person is upheld.This means that the community (society, economy, nation, world) must be structured to do the most good for all the persons who inhabit it. When each person focuses exclusively on his/her own personal gain, this does not result in a community that serves everyone. The poorer, weaker members of the group are denied the means and opportunities for a dignified life – and everyone is treated as prey rather than as neighbor. Both personal and collective actions must be judged according to whether they promote the common good, not just one's own self-interest. Indeed, the authentic reason for government is to achieve the common good.
3. Preferential Option for People Who Are PoorBecause poorer members of the group do not have the same resources as wealthier, more powerful members, Catholic Social Teaching says that we must focus special attention on meeting the needs of those who are poor. When decisions are being made, extra weight should be given to helping people who are vulnerable and at the margins of society.
4. SolidarityWe are one human family despite boundary lines and prejudices. We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they may be. Solidarity helps us see the "other" – whether a person, group or nation – as our neighbor, a "sharer," a "helper," without regard to age, race, gender, ethnicity, political persuasion or any other category. There is an interconnection among all peoples that demands we value and respect all.
5. Participation as a Basic Human RightGiven the dignity of each person, it follows that participation in decisions that affect us is a basic human right. This, in turn, suggests subsidiarity as a basic rule of social organization: decisions should be made as close as possible to the level of individual initiative in communities and institutions. Families, local community groups, local governments and small businesses should be fostered and their input considered. Larger government structures have an important role to play, but that role only occurs when greater social coordination, regulation and efficiency are necessary for the common good. Indeed, the principle of subsidiarity – from the same Latin root ("subsidium") that gives us "subsidy" – requires larger government structures to support, promote and develop those forms of social organization that are closer to the level of individual initiative.
6. Dignity of WorkWork is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. It is a way to express the uniqueness of the person in a way that contributes to the good of the whole. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected – the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, and to economic initiative. The economy must serve people, not the other way around.
7. Stewardship of God's CreationWe show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation; indeed, we are "co-creators" of the world we touch. This means that we need to stay in right relation with the physical world. Because of the greater impact that human beings have on the world, we have a special responsibility in our use of material things: the production, transport, sale and disposal of goods must be respectful of ecological systems and the all that depends on those systems. This is not merely do-gooder benevolence to species other than ourselves, it is a requirement for our own survival. We simply cannot live without clean air, clean water and a healthy environment. Our earthly resources are limited; we need to use them in a way that allows regeneration (replacing resources when possible, like growing new trees) and sustainability (using resources prudently so that they will last as long as possible).

"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48

Buzz, I see that there is one quotation of "chapter & verse" ... the rest is how the RC church interprets some very basic teachings.

It does not convince me that being charitable and helping our fellow man is a responsibility of govt. And, when church and politics intertwine, you have the situation of the RC being in favor of "the common good" which is also a tenet of communism and socialism ...one of which is known for its atheistic bent and the other for at least its secular bent. And Obama may believe in distributing the wealth, but he also voted for 3rd trimester abortion.

So, if one uses the "common good" as a reason to support Ds, it runs head on into the abortion issue, too. A very good reason for govt not to interfere with religion; and religion not to align itself with a particular political influence.

Render unto God that which is God's; and unto Caesar that which is Caesar's.

Rand was an atheist, but her value of the individual is no less than the Christian value of each individual. My take on Rand was that she did not discount the value of individuals less endowed with the capabilities of the "stars" of her books. She acknowledged value of each individual's contribution at whatever level their abilities were. I'd have to re-read the book to pull out the names of the characters that exhibited that.

G.Clinchy@gmail.com"Know in your heart that all things are possible. We couldn't conceive of a miracle if none ever happened." -Libby Fudim

​I don't use the PM feature, so just email me direct at the address shown above.

Pres tying to blame Paul Ryan for the drought bill being held up Another LIE. The Rep's signed off on this two weeks ago its now held up with the Dems ) Good old Harry Reid) and of course everyone needed their vacation time they have worked so hard.... oh thats right they havent past a budget in the last 3 years.

I bet Obama cannot stand all this attention Paul Ryan is getting. Wait till Ryan gets to FL where his Mom lives and shes on medicare.

Rand was an atheist, but her value of the individual is no less than the Christian value of each individual. My take on Rand was that she did not discount the value of individuals less endowed with the capabilities of the "stars" of her books. She acknowledged value of each individual's contribution at whatever level their abilities were. I'd have to re-read the book to pull out the names of the characters that exhibited that.

You have to be kidding. Rand did not preach respect for the individual, she preaches hero worship. She argues that altruism is immoral and that selfishness is the ultimate good. It is immoral to do anything but what is strictly in your own self interest. To her there is no greater good than individual self-satisfaction. There is nothing christian about that. I read Atlas Shrugged when I was in high school. I thought it was a great book. Recently I picked it up and read it again and I was shocked at how juvenile and how evil it is. I actually could not get more than about 2/3 through it the second time.

"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48

Buzz, it just goes to show how different people can see different things in what one reads between the lines.

If altruism is "giving" without concern for one's personal selfishness is the ultimate good. I think that Jesus was the only human who had true altruism. When a richer person gives to a poorer person, there is always a personal satisfaction. You feel good about doing what you perceive as being the "right thing." A parent who sacrifices something for the well-being of their child, gains personal satisfaction. A fireman who saves a life, feels personal gratification.

I am NOT saying that feeling good about doing good is wrong. Not at all! What I am saying is that I am hard-pressed to find any act we do is purely altruistic ... although it may appear to be.

But that is what I see, and you come away with a different view. That's okay in my book. I took one of those personality tests some years ago, and I fell into a group that accounts for only 2% of the general population. So, I've gotten used to having the other 98% not agree with me on any number of points.

However, what we do agree upon, from your previous posts, is that Atlas did demonstrate what road we travel when we move toward assuming govt is the best avenue for doing good deeds. And we should not forget that Rand came from a place where communism ultimately did not work. When money and power are concentrated in govt that has power to "punish" for non-compliance, individuals get short shrift in the deal. We see it in the way that lobbyists of every type try (and succeed) to influence who ends up with the govt power to mete out the punishments (laws).

G.Clinchy@gmail.com"Know in your heart that all things are possible. We couldn't conceive of a miracle if none ever happened." -Libby Fudim

​I don't use the PM feature, so just email me direct at the address shown above.